Sewer Information

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Sewer Information

Sewer System

A property owner's sewer pipes are called service laterals and run from the connection at the home to the connection with the public sewer.

Maintenance and repair of service laterals are the responsibility of the property owner.

Residential Plumbing Systems and Sewer Laterals

The City is responsible for maintaining the sewer system main (the large collector pipes connected to individual sewer user). Property owners are responsible for plumbing systems on their property and sewer laterals for the entire distance to the connection to the sewer main. Plumbing and laterals on both private property and within the public right-of-way must be maintained in proper working order to prevent discharge of sewage from overflows or leakage into buildings, onto the ground, or into the storm drain system.

For questions about plumbing problems within buildings, please call the Building and Safety Services Section at (510) 577-3405.

For questions about sewer lateral problems that may impact the storm drain system, please call the Environmental Services Section at (510) 577-3401.

The City is responsible for:

Operating and maintaining local and regional sewer lines

Protecting City property & streets, the local storm drain system, sewage collection system and other public areas

Collecting, treating and disposing of wastewater

Sewage spills occur when the wastewater in underground pipes overflows through a manhole, cleanout, or broken pipe. Common causes of spills include:

Grease build-up

Tree roots

Broken/cracked pipes

Missing or broken cleanout caps

Undersized sewers

Groundwater/rainwater entering the sewer system

Sewer System Management Plan

The City has developed a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) to properly manage, operate, and maintain all parts of the City's sanitary sewer collection system and to satisfy the requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board Order #2006-0003.